2nd February 2010

Help For Animals Arrives In Haiti

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A coalition of animal protection groups, which includes the RSPCA, has arrived in Haiti to aid animals left stricken by the devastating earthquake.

The team - known collectively as the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) – was formed specifically to deal with the Haiti crisis.

“The recent earthquake in Haiti has caused untold devastation and suffering. Humanitarian aid is starting to reach the victims and must be given priority but undoubtedly animals have been massively affected too,” said Coralie Farren, RSPCA International aid officer.

“We are glad that, alongside our partners in ARCH, the RSPCA can work towards making a small but significant contribution to the welfare of animals that are suffering as a result of this terrible tragedy.”

The most pressing animal welfare problems will be identified by the ARCH team following meetings with officials from the Haitian government as well as international agencies such as the United Nations. Wide-ranging, long-term plans will also be drawn up, including options for creating and improving infrastructure for veterinary care, a large-scale vaccination program and animal population control services.

The Haitian Minister for the Environment, Jean Marie Claude Germain, told ARCH that they had not considered including animals in the recovery plans, but after meeting the team, they can see it is a necessary part of the relief effort.

Most members of the ARCH team have returned to Santo Domingo, in order to assemble supplies for the next emergency relief exercise. The coalition team will also continue its assessment in the areas beyond Port-au-Prince, implementing immediate veterinary aid to animals in cooperation with the Haitian government.

The first shipment of medicine and equipment needed to treat animals was expected to arrive in Port au Prince from the Dominican Republic last week.

The coalition is led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). “The condition of these animals before the earthquake was not good, so we can’t just simply put things back as they were,” said Ian Robinson, IFAW’s Director of Emergency Relief. “We need to deliver immediate relief to animals and to develop long-term plans for a lasting good.”

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